How did a Scotsman who never set foot in America influence its founders?

You likely know about Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, two of the American Founders highly responsible for the ideas encapsulated in the American Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and system of government.

But do you know about Adam Smith, the Scottish father of modern economics, and how his ideas about free markets and allowing people to pursue their own interests, influenced Jefferson and Madison to help them create a free and prosperous society?

Visit the Library of Congress with scholar Johan Norberg and learn more about Smith, the Founders, and Jeffersonís personal library.

America & Mr. Smith covers numerous educational standards across several subject areas including Social Studies, Economics, and U.S. History/Government for grades 7-12+. To find which standards it covers specific to your grade, subject area, and which standards your district follows, use ourStandards Alignment tool.